Celebration of Life services for Charles Edward Whitman, 79, Lawrence, are pending and will be announced at a later date by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
He died October 9, 2022, at LMH Health.
Charles Edward Whitman
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Charlie had a daring gaze and an obliging smile. Rooted in the heights of Kansas City, Charlie flourished in the heyday of Lawrence’s Kaw Valley as a conduit between the law and those run amok; the one person to call when in town, or in trouble. Charlie was a constant, an always there person. A lawyer, an artist, a family man, an adventurer, and a consummate conversationalist. Charlie always made me feel at home, no matter where we were. I could say: “one night in Prague” or “that morning in Berlin,” but I keep thinking back to an afternoon on Tennessee street, in the well-used kitchen, where Charlie announced the ingredients to the Chicken Salad – “James Beard!”
No one made mayonnaise and celery sound better than Chuck. Charlie was self-described zen (without that term), because his life was full of unfulfilled longing. He would talk of his mother, his father, his family, and his desire to connect his circumstance to history through the people he loved. Those conversations are what I treasure the most. Charlie did not dwell on the personal too often, rather he harkened to civilizations passed – until it was time to go to bed, or another inspiration kept the flame burning. I loved that. Without Charlie, I wouldn’t have been prepared for the mendacity and the smallness of everyday life. His was a glassine shield that gave what it took; my life is more measured by his knowledge.
I miss him. I hope Charlie continues in our hearts.
Charles always made me feel important. He was a very nice gentleman. I knew him since the early 80s, he used to shop at Dillons on mass and speak with me often. You will be missed Charles.
I met Charlie at the Rock Chalk holding court behind the bar in his beer-stained apron and a bar towel on his shoulder. With his arms crossed and stroking his beard in thought, he’d take aim and fire his wit like a sharpshooter. In the late hours during the “B club” era, Charlie was always welcome to enter through the back where the conversation alternated between enlightenment and hilarity. It was such a treat to hang around with him. I learned so much that I attribute my real liberal education, the kind you can’t learn in books, to him. I’ll miss you, my old friend.
So sad to hear this. He was a consummate gentle soul with a wickedly funny sense of humor. He will be missed. RIP.
A friend since college-hard to think he won’t be among us. I agree he was a true renaissance man and always true to his word.
Charlie was one of the most interesting people I ever met. He was so thoughtful. I will always miss him.
Charlie will be sorely missed by the legal community and the local stage. A true gentleman.
Sitting at Charley’s table at the Rock Chalk, the beer always seemed colder and the stories really were better. I miss those days and I miss CHARLEY. There wasn’t anyway not to be captivated with his conversation and I still don’t know when he had time to do so well at the BAR when he spent so much time at the Rock Chalk bar. Cheers Charley on your new and best adventure.
Charles was always a gentleman. I enjoyed practicing with him as he always had interesting thoughts and amusing tales. Charles was so many things…lawyer, actor, traveler, philosopher and friend.
Charlie helped my family in our darkest days and I will never forget his kindness and friendship. He will be missed from the world.
Charlie lived and loved in so many spheres. The law was his life’s work, and theater was his love and passion. Truman. The Day After. Far into his 70s he would work a full day at the office, come home for a quick dinner, then go off to the community theater for another four hours of acting or directing. The Bourgeois Pig. The Southern Pit. We traveled in China together for a month in 2003, narrowly avoiding the first SARS pandemic, and he hiked with his brother through New Zealand (in his 70s). Poland. Australia. Greece. Charlie lived and loved large. He defined raconteur. You are deeply loved and missed, Charlie.
Charles and I practiced law next door to each other and became good friends. :He will be missed,
I directed Charlie…Charlie directed me…we played the young and old versions of the same character (when directed by others.) Good run by a Tab-drinking prince and and a kind-hearted gentlesoul!
Charles was a heck of a guy. A gentleman and scholar in every possible way. So proud to call him a friend and colleague. He did make Lawrence a better place for all good people!
Charlie is unforgettable. I knew Charlie since 1983 when I joined the district attorney’s office. Although his good qualities are too numerous to list, I will always remember him for his wonderful sense of humor and his valued friendship. R.I.P. Charlie
Charlie always had a kind word and kind heart.
Charlie will always be remembered. A true Renaissance man: a criminal defense lawyer, a well-known thespian, and a kind soul. You made Lawrence a better place.